Storm anxiety rising

Capital Region stocks up as forecast still ominous, pain of Irene still lingers

Updated 12:02 am, Sunday, October 28, 2012

Commuters exit an entrance to the Canal St. A C and E station boarded up with plywood to help prevent flooding, Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012 in New York. As Hurricane Sandy approaches the New York region, residents of some flood-prone areas have been told to evacuate and officials are preparing for a possible transit system shutdown. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

Commuters exit an entrance to the Canal St. A C and E station...

Director of the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness Edward Dickson, left, and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, right, listen as Robert M. Hanna, President of the N.J. Board of Public Utilities, addresses a gathering Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012, in North Wildwood, N.J., as they lay out preparation plans for Hurricane Sandy. the region prepares for Hurricane Sandy. A state of emergency is in effect for New Jersey as hundreds of coastal residents have started moving inland while officials closely monitor Hurricane Sandy and its potential for creating devastating weather. Mandatory evacuations were under way in southern New Jersey's barrier islands, which people were ordered to leave by 4 p.m. Sunday. Christie also ordered the evacuations of all Atlantic City casinos by that time and said state parks would close. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)

Director of the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and...

A fire inspector walks through a neighborhood destroyed during Hurricane Sandy October 30, 2012 in the Breezy Point neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. At least a few dozen people were reported killed in the United States by Sandy as millions of people in the eastern United States have awoken to widespread power outages, flooded homes and downed trees. New York City was hit especially hard with widespread power outages and significant flooding in parts of the city.
(Spencer Platt, Getty Images)

A fire inspector walks through a neighborhood destroyed during...

Cars floating in a flooded subterranian basement following Hurricaine Sandy on October 30, 2012 in the Financial District of New York, United States. The storm has claimed at least 33 lives in the United States, and has caused massive flooding across much of the Atlantic seaboard. US President Barack Obama has declared the situation a 'major disaster' for large areas of the US East Coast including New York City.
(Andrew Burton, Getty Images)

Cars floating in a flooded subterranian basement following...

People stand on a mound of construction dirt to view the area where a 2,000-foot section of the "uptown" boardwalk was destroyed by flooding from Hurricane Sandy on October 30, 2012 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The storm has claimed at least 33 lives in the United States, and has caused massive flooding across much of the Atlantic seaboard. President Barack Obama has declared the situation a 'major disaster' for large areas of the US East Coast including New York City.
(Mario Tama, Getty Images)

People stand on a mound of construction dirt to view the area where...

Heavy surf caused by Hurricane Sandy buckles Ocean Ave on October 30, 2012 in Avalon, New Jersey. The storm has claimed at least 16 lives in the United States, and has caused massive flooding across much of the Atlantic seaboard. US President Barack Obama has declared the situation a 'major disaster' for large areas of the US East Coast including New York City, with wide spread power outages and significant flooding in parts of the city.
(Mark Wilson, Getty Images)

Heavy surf caused by Hurricane Sandy buckles Ocean Ave on October...

Workers clean up a fallen tree October 30, 2012 in New York City. The storm has claimed at least 16 lives in the United States, and has caused massive flooding across much of the Atlantic seaboard. US President Barack Obama has declared the situation a 'major disaster' for large areas of the US East Coast including New York City, with wide spread power outages and significant flooding in parts of the city.
(Allison Joyce, Getty Images)

Workers clean up a fallen tree October 30, 2012 in New York City....

A keep off the dunes sign is buried Tuesday morning, Oct. 29, 2012, in Cape May, N.J., after a storm surge from superstormSandy pushed the Atlantic Ocean over the beach and into the streets. The storm that made landfall in New Jersey on Monday evening with 80 mph sustained winds killed at least 16 people in seven states, cut power to more than 7.4 million homes and businesses from the Carolinas to Ohio, caused scares at two nuclear power plants and stopped the presidential campaign cold.
(Mel Evans, Associated Press)

A keep off the dunes sign is buried Tuesday morning, Oct. 29, 2012,...

The Empire State Building towers in the background of an apartment buliding in Chelsea, New York City, with the facade broken off October 30, 2012 the morning after Hurricane Sandy. The death toll from superstorm Sandy has risen to 16 in the mainland United States and Canada, and was expected to climb further as several people were still missing, officials said Tuesday. Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and North Carolina reported 15 dead from the massive storm system, and Toronto police said a Canadian woman was killed by flying debris.
(Timothy A. Clary, AFP/Getty Images)

The Empire State Building towers in the background of an apartment...

A street light and utility pole brought down from Hurricane Sandy lays on the street, on October 30, 2012 in Avalon, New Jersey. The storm has claimed at least 16 lives in the United States, and has caused massive flooding across much of the Atlantic seaboard. US President Barack Obama has declared the situation a 'major disaster' for large areas of the US East Coast including New York City, with wide spread power outages and significant flooding in parts of the city.
(Mark Wilson, Getty Images)

A street light and utility pole brought down from Hurricane Sandy...

Ramiro Arcos sweeps debris from a storm drain while cleaning up damage caused by Hurricane Sandy on October 30, 2012 in the Financial District of New York, United States. The storm has claimed at least 16 lives in the United States, and has caused massive flooding across much of the Atlantic seaboard. US President Barack Obama has declared the situation a 'major disaster' for large areas of the US East Coast including New York City.
(Andrew Burton, Getty Images)

Ramiro Arcos sweeps debris from a storm drain while cleaning up...

Boro Sangulin paddles a kayak through a flooded 16th Street from the effects of superstorm Sandy in on Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2012, in Bayville, N.Y. Sangulin was checking on the flood damage of his home at the end of the block.
(Kathy Kmonicek, Associated Press)

Boro Sangulin paddles a kayak through a flooded 16th Street from...

A parking lot full of yellow cabs is flooded as a result of superstorm Sandy on Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2012 in Hoboken, NJ.
(Charles Sykes, AP)

A parking lot full of yellow cabs is flooded as a result of...

Homes destroyed by a fire at Breezy Point are shown, in the New York City borough of Queens Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2012, in New York. The fire destroyed between 80 and 100 houses Monday night in the flooded neighborhood. More than 190 firefighters have contained the six-alarm blaze fire, but they are still putting out some pockets of fire.
(Frank Franklin II)

Homes destroyed by a fire at Breezy Point are shown, in the New...

A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter flies over Central Park the morning after Hurricane Sandy on October 30, 2012 in New York City. The storm has claimed at least 16 lives in the United States, and has caused massive flooding across much of the Atlantic seaboard. US President Barack Obama has declared the situation a 'major disaster' for large areas of the US East Coast including New York City.
(Michael Heiman, Getty Images)

A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter flies over Central Park the morning...

A flooded Brooklyn Battery park Tunnel October 30, 2012 as New Yorkers clean up the morning after Hurricane Sandy's landfall. The death toll from superstorm Sandy has risen to 16 in the mainland United States and Canada, and was expected to climb further as several people were still missing, officials said Tuesday. Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and North Carolina reported 15 dead from the massive storm system, and Toronto police said a Canadian woman was killed by flying debris.
(Timothy A. Clary, AFP/Getty Images)

A flooded Brooklyn Battery park Tunnel October 30, 2012 as New...

People pass a fallen tree October 30, 2012 in the Battery Park neighborhood of Manhattan, New York. The storm has claimed at least 16 lives in the United States, and has caused massive flooding across much of the Atlantic seaboard. US President Barack Obama has declared the situation a 'major disaster' for large areas of the US East Coast including New York City.
(Allison Joyce, Getty Images)

People pass a fallen tree October 30, 2012 in the Battery Park...

Damage caused by a fire at Breezy Point is shown Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2012, in New York. A fire department spokesman says more than 190 firefighters are at the blaze in the Breezy Point section. Fire officials say the blaze was reported around 11 p.m. Monday in an area flooded by the superstorm that began sweeping through earlier.
(Frank Franklin II, AP)

Damage caused by a fire at Breezy Point is shown Tuesday, Oct. 30,...

The lights on the Brooklyn Bridge stand in contrast to the lower Manhattan skyline which has lost its electrical supply, Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2012, after megastorm Sandy swept through New York. A record storm surge that was higher than predicted along with high winds damaged the electrical system and plunged millions of people into darkness.
(Mark Lennihan, AP)

The lights on the Brooklyn Bridge stand in contrast to the lower...

Debris litter a flooded street in the Dumbo section of Brooklyn after the city awakens to the affects of Hurricane Sandy on October 30, 2012 in New York, United States. At least 15 people were reported killed in the United States by Sandy as millions of people in the eastern United States have awoken to widespread power outages, flooded homes and downed trees. New York City was his especially hard with wide spread power outages and significant flooding in parts of the city.
(Spencer Platt, Getty Images)

Debris litter a flooded street in the Dumbo section of Brooklyn...

Portable, upended flood dikes are viewed on a flooded street in the Dumbo section of Brooklyn after the city awakens to the affects of Hurricane Sandy on October 30, 2012 in New York, United States. At least 15 people were reported killed in the United States by Sandy as millions of people in the eastern United States have awoken to widespread power outages, flooded homes and downed trees. New York City was his especially hard with wide spread power outages and significant flooding in parts of the city.
(Spencer Platt, Getty Images)

Portable, upended flood dikes are viewed on a flooded street in the...

Earth movers clean sand off the road which was brought in from Hurricane Sandy, on October 30, 2012 in Cape May, New Jersey. The New Jersey coastline felt the full force of Sandy's heavy winds resulting in record floodwaters and power cuts as US President Barack Obama declared the situation a "major disaster" for large areas of the US East Coast including New York City.
(Mark Wilson, Getty Images)

Earth movers clean sand off the road which was brought in from...

Chad Meyers, an emergency room physician at Bellevue Hospital Center, walks down First Avenue near East 23rd Street after the facility experienced flooding and switched to emergency backup power early Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2012, in New York. For New York City, Sandy was not the dayslong onslaught many had feared, and the wind and rain that sent water sloshing into Manhattan from three sides began dying down within hours. Still, the power was out for hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers and an estimated 6.2 million people altogether across the East.
(Jeffrey Furticella, AP)

Chad Meyers, an emergency room physician at Bellevue Hospital...

Medical workers assist a patient into an ambulance during an evacuation of New York University's Tisch Hospital, Monday, Oct. 29, 2012, in New York. The New York City hospital is moving out more than 200 patients after its backup generator failed when the power was knocked out by a superstorm.
(John Minchillo, AP)

Medical workers assist a patient into an ambulance during an...

Power outage seen on October 29, 2012 in Manhattan, New York. Hurricane Sandy, which threatens 50 million people in the Mid-Atlantic area of the United States, is expected to bring days of rain, high winds and possibly heavy snow. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the closure of all New York City bus, subway and commuter rail services as of Sunday evening.
(Allison Joyce, Getty Images)

Power outage seen on October 29, 2012 in Manhattan, New York....

A soldier looks out from his personelle carrier during the landfall of Hurricane Sandy, on October 29, 2012, in the Financial District of New York, United States. Hurricane Sandy, which threatens 50 million people in the eastern third of the U.S., is expected to bring days of rain, high winds and possibly heavy snow. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the closure of all New York City will bus, subway and commuter rail service as of Sunday evening
(Andrew Burton, Getty Images)

A soldier looks out from his personelle carrier during the...

Water rushes into the Carey Tunnel (previously the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel), caused by Hurricane Sandy, October 29, 2012, in the Financial District of New York, United States. Hurricane Sandy, which threatens 50 million people in the eastern third of the U.S., is expected to bring days of rain, high winds and possibly heavy snow. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the closure of all New York City will bus, subway and commuter rail service as of Sunday evening

Water rushes into the Carey Tunnel (previously the Brooklyn Battery...

Water rushes into the Carey Tunnel (previously the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel), caused by Hurricane Sandy, October 29, 2012, in the Financial District of New York, United States. Hurricane Sandy, which threatens 50 million people in the eastern third of the U.S., is expected to bring days of rain, high winds and possibly heavy snow. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the closure of all New York City will bus, subway and commuter rail service as of Sunday evening.

Water rushes into the Carey Tunnel (previously the Brooklyn Battery...

Power outage seen on October 29, 2012 in Manhattan, New York. Hurricane Sandy, which threatens 50 million people in the Mid-Atlantic area of the United States, is expected to bring days of rain, high winds and possibly heavy snow. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the closure of all New York City bus, subway and commuter rail services as of Sunday evening.
(Allison Joyce, Getty Images)

Power outage seen on October 29, 2012 in Manhattan, New York....

Lower Manhattan goes dark during hurricane Sandy, on Monday, Oct. 29, 2012, as seen from Brooklyn, N.Y. Sandy continued on its path Monday, as the storm forced the shutdown of mass transit, schools and financial markets, sending coastal residents fleeing, and threatening a dangerous mix of high winds and soaking rain.
(Bebeto Matthews, AP)

Lower Manhattan goes dark during hurricane Sandy, on Monday, Oct....

Vehicles are submerged on 14th Street near the Consolidated Edison power plant, Monday, Oct. 29, 2012, in New York. Sandy continued on its path Monday, as the storm forced the shutdown of mass transit, schools and financial markets, sending coastal residents fleeing, and threatening a dangerous mix of high winds and soaking rain.
(AP)

Vehicles are submerged on 14th Street near the Consolidated Edison...

Sea water floods the Ground Zero construction site, Monday, Oct. 29, 2012, in New York. Sandy continued on its path Monday, as the storm forced the shutdown of mass transit, schools and financial markets, sending coastal residents fleeing, and threatening a dangerous mix of high winds and soaking rain.
(John Minchillo, AP)

Sea water floods the Ground Zero construction site, Monday, Oct....

FDNY inflatable boats travel along 14th street towards the East River on a rescue mission in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, Monday, Oct. 29, 2012, in New York. Sandy continued on its path Monday, as the storm forced the shutdown of mass transit, schools and financial markets, sending coastal residents fleeing, and threatening a dangerous mix of high winds and soaking rain.
(AP)

FDNY inflatable boats travel along 14th street towards the East...

A vehicle is submerged on 14th Street near the Consolidated Edison power plant, Monday, Oct. 29, 2012, in New York. Sandy knocked out power to at least 3.1 million people, and New York's main utility said large sections of Manhattan had been plunged into darkness by the storm, with 250,000 customers without power as water pressed into the island from three sides, flooding rail yards, subway tracks, tunnels and roads.
(AP)

A vehicle is submerged on 14th Street near the Consolidated Edison...

Firefighters look up at the facade of a four-story building on 14th Street and 8th Avenue that collapsed onto the sidewalk Monday, Oct. 29, 2012, in New York. Hurricane Sandy bore down on the Eastern Seaboard's largest cities Monday, forcing the shutdown of mass transit, schools and financial markets, sending coastal residents fleeing, and threatening a dangerous mix of high winds, soaking rain and a surging wall of water up to 11 feet tall.
(AP)

Firefighters look up at the facade of a four-story building on 14th...

Streets are flooded under the Manhattan Bridge in the Dumbo section of Brooklyn, N.Y., Monday, Oct. 29, 2012. Sandy continued on its path Monday, as the storm forced the shutdown of mass transit, schools and financial markets, sending coastal residents fleeing, and threatening a dangerous mix of high winds and soaking rain.
(Bebeto Matthews, AP)

Streets are flooded under the Manhattan Bridge in the Dumbo section...

Rising water, caused by Hurricane Sandy, rushes into a subterranian parking garage on October 29, 2012, in the Financial District of New York, United States. Hurricane Sandy, which threatens 50 million people in the eastern third of the U.S., is expected to bring days of rain, high winds and possibly heavy snow. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the closure of all New York City will bus, subway and commuter rail service as of Sunday evening
(Andrew Burton, Getty Images)

Rising water, caused by Hurricane Sandy, rushes into a...

Dark clouds are seen over the skyline of Manhattan as as Hurricane Sandy begins to affect the area on October 29, 2012 in New York City. The storm, which threatens 50 million people in the eastern third of the U.S., is expected to bring days of rain, high winds and possibly heavy snow. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the closure of all New York City will bus, subway and commuter rail service as of Sunday evening.
(Spencer Platt, Getty Images)

Dark clouds are seen over the skyline of Manhattan as as Hurricane...

Repair crews works to repair a sign in inclement weather after strong storm winds caused a piece of a sign to fall, killing a woman, in Toronto on Monday, Oct. 29, 2012. Police said a woman had been killed by a falling sign while walking through a parking lot.
(AP)

Repair crews works to repair a sign in inclement weather after...

This photo provided by 6abc Action News shows the Inlet section of Atlantic City, N.J., as Hurricane Sandy makes it approach, Monday Oct. 29, 2012. Sandy made landfall at 8 p.m. near Atlantic City, which was already mostly under water and saw a piece of its world-famous Boardwalk washed away earlier in the day.
(AP)

This photo provided by 6abc Action News shows the Inlet section of...

In this photo provided by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey a surveillance camera captures the PATH station in Hoboken, N.J., as it is flooded shortly before 9:30 p.m. EDT on Monday, Oct. 29, 2012. Sandy continued on its path Monday, as the storm forced the shutdown of mass transit, schools and financial markets, sending coastal residents fleeing, and threatening a dangerous mix of high winds and soaking rain.
(AP)

In this photo provided by the Port Authority of New York and New...

Vehicles are submerged during a storm surge near the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, Monday, Oct. 29, 2012, in New York. Superstorm Sandy zeroed in on New York's waterfront with fierce rain and winds that shuttered most of the nation's largest city Monday, darkened the financial district and left a huge crane hanging off a luxury high-rise.
(AP)

Vehicles are submerged during a storm surge near the Brooklyn...

A worker uses a chainsaw to cut up a tree that knocked over a street light on the 800 block of South George Street in York City, Pa., Monday, Oct. 29, 2012. Sandy continued on its path Monday, forcing the shutdown of mass transit, schools and financial markets, sending coastal residents fleeing for higher ground, and threatening a dangerous mix of high winds and soaking rain.
(Jason Plotkin, AP)

A worker uses a chainsaw to cut up a tree that knocked over a...

A fire fighter speaks to a colleague while cleaning up damage caused by Hurricane Sandy on October 29, 2012 in New York, United States. Hurricane Sandy, which threatens 50 million people in the eastern third of the U.S., is expected to bring days of rain, high winds and possibly heavy snow. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the closure of all New York City will bus, subway and commuter rail service as of Sunday evening.
(Andrew Burton, Getty Images)

A fire fighter speaks to a colleague while cleaning up damage...

The facade of a four-story building on 14th Street and 8th Avenue collapsed onto the sidewalk as FDNY firefighters respond, Monday, Oct. 29, 2012, in New York. Hurricane Sandy bore down on the Eastern Seaboard's largest cities Monday, forcing the shutdown of mass transit, schools and financial markets, sending coastal residents fleeing, and threatening a dangerous mix of high winds, soaking rain and a surging wall of water up to 11 feet tall.
(John Minchillo, Associated Press)

The facade of a four-story building on 14th Street and 8th Avenue...

Fire fighters use a saw in an attempt to remove a partially collapsed door due to Hurricane Sandy on October 29, 2012 in New York, United States. Hurricane Sandy, which threatens 50 million people in the eastern third of the U.S., is expected to bring days of rain, high winds and possibly heavy snow. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the closure of all New York City will bus, subway and commuter rail service as of Sunday evening
(Andrew Burton, Getty Images)

Fire fighters use a saw in an attempt to remove a partially...

Ocean Avenue is flooded caused by Hurricane Sandy, on October 29, 2012 in Cape May, The New Jersey coastline is feeling the full force of Sandy's heavy winds and record floodwaters.
(Mark Wilson, Getty Images)

Ocean Avenue is flooded caused by Hurricane Sandy, on October 29,...

Winchester city firefighters leave a home after checking damage caused by a tree falling onto the back of the house on Monday evening Oct. 29, 2012 in Winchester, Va. Sandy continued on its path Monday, as the storm forced the shutdown of mass transit, schools and financial markets, sending coastal residents fleeing, and threatening a dangerous mix of high winds and soaking rain.
(Ginger Perry, AP)

Winchester city firefighters leave a home after checking damage...

A man drinks at a bar as Hurricane Sandy moves up the coast on October 29, 2012 in the East Village of New York, United States. Hurricane Sandy, which threatens 50 million people in the eastern third of the U.S., is expected to bring days of rain, high winds and possibly heavy snow. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the closure of all New York City will bus, subway and commuter rail service as of Sunday evening
(Andrew Burton, Getty Images)

A man drinks at a bar as Hurricane Sandy moves up the coast on...

Storm surge hits a small tree as winds from Hurricane Sandy reach Seaside Park in Bridgeport, Conn., Monday, Oct. 29, 2012. Water from Long Island Sound spilled into roadways and towns along the Connecticut shoreline Monday, the first signs of flooding from a storm that threatens to deliver a devastating surge of seawater.
(Jessica Hill, AP)

Storm surge hits a small tree as winds from Hurricane Sandy reach...

Snow sticking to tree limbs on Grandview Road in Beckley, V.Va. Monday Oct. 29, 2012 as Hurricane Sandy wheeled toward land as forecasters feared Monday, raking cities along the Northeast corridor with rain and wind gusts, flooding shore towns, washing away a section of the Atlantic City Boardwalk, and threatening to cripple Wall Street and New York's subway system with a huge surge of corrosive seawater.
(Rick Barbero, AP)

Snow sticking to tree limbs on Grandview Road in Beckley, V.Va....

Waves from Hurricane Sandy crash onto the damaged Avalon Pier in Kill Devil Hills, N.C., Monday, Oct. 29, 2012 as Sandy churns up the east coast. Hurricane Sandy continued on its path Monday, as the storm forced the shutdown of mass transit, schools and financial markets, sending coastal residents fleeing, and threatening a dangerous mix of high winds and soaking rain.
(Gerry Broome, AP)

Waves from Hurricane Sandy crash onto the damaged Avalon Pier in...

A motorist tries to avoid getting hit by a large wave as it crashes over a seawall on the Atlantic Ocean during the early stages of Hurricane Sandy, Monday, Oct. 29, 2012, in Kennebunk, Maine. The hurricane continued on its path Monday, as the storm forced the shutdown of mass transit, schools and financial markets, sending coastal residents fleeing, and threatening a dangerous mix of high winds and soaking rain.
(Robert F. Bukaty, AP)

A motorist tries to avoid getting hit by a large wave as it crashes...

A sailboat smashes on the rocks after breaking free from its mooring on City Island October 29, 2012 in New York. Hurricane Sandy's winds picked up speed as the storm made a left turn toward the East Coast.
(DON EMMERT, AFP/Getty Images)

A sailboat smashes on the rocks after breaking free from its...

Joseph Arpaio of Massapequa abondons his car on 5th Street in Lindenhurst as high tide, rain and winds flood local streets on October 29, 2012 in Lindenhurst, New York.The storm, which threatens 50 million people in the eastern third of the U.S., is expected to bring days of rain, high winds and possibly heavy snow.
(Bruce Bennett, Getty Images)

Joseph Arpaio of Massapequa abondons his car on 5th Street in...

Andy Becica stands on the beach watching the heavy surf from Hurricane Sandy wash in in, on October 29, 2012 in Cape May, New Jersey.
(Mark Wilson, Getty Images)

Andy Becica stands on the beach watching the heavy surf from...

A huge wave crashes on the beach as Hurricane Sandy bears down on the East Coast, Monday, Oct. 29, 2012, in Ocean City, Md. Hurricane Sandy continued on its path Monday, as the storm forced the shutdown of mass transit, schools and financial markets, sending coastal residents fleeing, and threatening a dangerous mix of high winds and soaking rain.
(Alex Brandon, AP)

A huge wave crashes on the beach as Hurricane Sandy bears down on...

People walk past sandbags on a flooded street as Hurricane Sandy moves closer to the area on October 29, 2012 in the Red Hook section of the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The storm, which threatens 50 million people in the eastern third of the U.S., is expected to bring days of rain, high winds and possibly heavy snow. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the closure of all New York City will bus, subway and commuter rail service as of Sunday evening.
(Spencer Platt, Getty Images)

People walk past sandbags on a flooded street as Hurricane Sandy...

A car sits in a flooded street near the ocean ahead of Hurricane Sandy on October 29, 2012 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Governor Chris Christie’s emergency declaration is shutting down the city’s casinos and 30,000 residents were ordered to evacuate.
(Mario Tama, Getty Images)

A car sits in a flooded street near the ocean ahead of Hurricane...

Travelers on Delta Airlines waits for flights Monday, Oct. 29, 2012, in Detroit. Dozens of departing flights have been canceled at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport as a looming superstorm locks down flights to the East Coast. Hurricane Sandy continued on its path Monday, as the storm forced the shutdown of mass transit, schools and financial markets, sending coastal residents fleeing, and threatening a dangerous mix of high winds and soaking rain.
(Charlie Riedel, AP)

Travelers on Delta Airlines waits for flights Monday, Oct. 29,...

A construction crane atop a luxury high-rise dangles precariously over the streets after collapsing in high winds from Hurricane Sandy, Monday, Oct. 29, 2012, in New York. Hurricane Sandy bore down on the Eastern Seaboard's largest cities Monday, forcing the shutdown of mass transit, schools and financial markets, sending coastal residents fleeing, and threatening a dangerous mix of high winds, soaking rain and a surging wall of water up to 11 feet tall.
(John Minchillo)

A construction crane atop a luxury high-rise dangles precariously...

FDNY firefighters glare up at a damaged crane as it hangs over 57th Street after being torn from it's base by high winds, Monday, Oct. 29, 2012, in New York. Hurricane Sandy continued on its path Monday, as the storm forced the shutdown of mass transit, schools and financial markets, sending coastal residents fleeing, and threatening a dangerous mix of high winds and soaking rain.
(John Minchillo)

FDNY firefighters glare up at a damaged crane as it hangs over 57th...

Jay Johnson of Milford watches as a wave from the onset of Hurricane Sandy crashes into a waterfront home on Melba Street in the Bayview section of Milford on Monday, October 29, 2012. Johnson, a Melba Street resident, was checking on his own home during the noon high tide.
(Brian A. Pounds)

Jay Johnson of Milford watches as a wave from the onset of...

Heavy surf crashes over a seawall on the Atlantic Ocean during the early stages of Hurricane Sandy, Monday, Oct. 29, 2012, in Kennebunk, Maine. Hurricane Sandy wheeled toward land as forecasters feared Monday, raking cities along the Northeast corridor with rain and wind gusts, flooding shore towns, washing away a section of the Atlantic City Boardwalk, and threatening to cripple Wall Street and New York's subway system with a huge surge of corrosive seawater.
(Robert F. Bukaty, AP)

Heavy surf crashes over a seawall on the Atlantic Ocean during the...

A NYPD officer stands guard at the 42nd street subway station in Times Square October 29, 2012 as New Yorkers prepare for Hurricane Sandy expected to hit the city later tonight. Much of the eastern United States was in lockdown mode October 29, 2012 awaiting the arrival of a hurricane dubbed "Frankenstorm" that threatened to wreak havoc on the area with storm surges, driving rain and devastating winds.
(TIMOTHY A. CLARY, AFP/Getty Images)

A NYPD officer stands guard at the 42nd street subway station in...

People wade through flood water in Broad Channel as Hurricane Sandy begins to affect the area on October 29, 2012 in the Queens borough of New York City. The storm, which threatens 50 million people in the eastern third of the U.S., is expected to bring days of rain, high winds and possibly heavy snow. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the closure of all New York City's bus, subway and commuter rail service as of Sunday evening.
(Allison Joyce, Getty Images)

People wade through flood water in Broad Channel as Hurricane Sandy...

Tourists in Times Square with platic panchos October 29, 2012 as New Yorkers prepare for Hurricane Sandy expected to hit the city later tonight. Much of the eastern United States was in lockdown mode October 29, 2012 awaiting the arrival of a hurricane dubbed "Frankenstorm" that threatened to wreak havoc on the area with storm surges, driving rain and devastating winds.
(TIMOTHY A. CLARY, AFP/Getty Images)

Tourists in Times Square with platic panchos October 29, 2012 as...

A motorist drives through a flooded road along the Atlantic Ocean during the early stages of Hurricane Sandy, Monday, Oct. 29, 2012, in Kennebunk, Maine. The hurricane continued on its path Monday, as the storm forced the shutdown of mass transit, schools and financial markets, sending coastal residents fleeing, and threatening a dangerous mix of high winds and soaking rain.
(Robert F. Bukaty, AP)

A motorist drives through a flooded road along the Atlantic Ocean...

The New York City skyline and Hudson River are seen from Hoboken, NJ as Hurricane Sandy approaches on Monday, Oct. 29, 2012. Hurricane Sandy continued on its path Monday, as the storm forced the shutdown of mass transit, schools and financial markets, sending coastal residents fleeing, and threatening a dangerous mix of high winds and soaking rain.
(Charles Sykes, AP)

The New York City skyline and Hudson River are seen from Hoboken,...

The Hudson River swells and rises over its banks flooding the Lackawanna train station as Hurricane Sandy approaches, in Hoboken, NJ on Monday, Oct. 29, 2012. Hurricane Sandy continued on its path Monday, as the storm forced the shutdown of mass transit, schools and financial markets, sending coastal residents fleeing, and threatening a dangerous mix of high winds and soaking rain.
(Charles Sykes, AP)

The Hudson River swells and rises over its banks flooding the...

Allen Boyer paddles a kayak in floodwaters caused by Hurricane Sandy as Bobby Carnutte wades through the water at right in Kitty Hawk, N.C., Monday, Oct. 29, 2012. Hurricane Sandy continued on its path Monday, as the storm forced the shutdown of mass transit, schools and financial markets, sending coastal residents fleeing, and threatening a dangerous mix of high winds and soaking rain.
(Gerry Broome, AP)

Allen Boyer paddles a kayak in floodwaters caused by Hurricane...

Waves crash over Winthrop Shore Drive as Hurricane Sandy comes up the coast on October 29, 2012 in Winthrop, Massachusetts. Hurricane Sandy, which threatens 50 million people in the eastern third of the U.S., is expected to bring days of rain, high winds and possibly heavy snow to a wide area on the U.S. East Coast.
(Darren McCollester, Getty Images)

Waves crash over Winthrop Shore Drive as Hurricane Sandy comes up...

People wade through flood water in Broad Channel as Hurricane Sandy begins to affect the area on October 29, 2012 in the Queens borough of New York City. The storm, which threatens 50 million people in the eastern third of the U.S., is expected to bring days of rain, high winds and possibly heavy snow. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the closure of all New York City's bus, subway and commuter rail service as of Sunday evening.
(Allison Joyce, Getty Images)

People wade through flood water in Broad Channel as Hurricane Sandy...

Waves wash over the sea wall near high tide at Battery Park in New York, Monday, Oct. 29, 2012 as Hurricane Sandy approaches the East Coast. Hurricane Sandy continued on its path Monday, forcing the shutdown of mass transit, schools and financial markets, sending coastal residents fleeing, and threatening a dangerous mix of high winds and soaking rain.
(Craig Ruttle, AP)

A lone pedestrian walks through an empty Times Square early, Monday, Oct. 29, 2012, in New York. Hurricane Sandy continued on its path Monday, forcing the shutdown of mass transit, schools and financial markets, sending coastal residents fleeing, and threatening a dangerous mix of high winds and soaking rain.
(AP)

A lone pedestrian walks through an empty Times Square early,...

A Hoboken University Medical Center patient is transported into an ambulance during a mandatory evacuation of all ground floor units in anticipation of incoming Hurricane Sandy, Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012, in Hoboken, N.J. Tens of thousands of people were ordered to evacuate coastal areas Sunday as big cities and small towns across the U.S. Northeast braced for the onslaught of a superstorm threatening some 60 million people along the most heavily populated corridor in the nation.
(AP)

A Hoboken University Medical Center patient is transported into an...

Richard Thomas moves a neighbors' car out of the rising water as Hurricane Sandy bears down on the East Coast, Monday, Oct. 29, 2012, in Fenwick Island, Del. Forecasters warned that the New York City region could face the worst of Hurricane Sandy as it bore down on the U.S. East Coast's largest cities Monday, forcing the shutdown of financial markets and mass transit, sending coastal residents fleeing and threatening high winds, rain and a wall of water up to 11 feet (3.35 meters) tall. It could endanger up to 50 million people for days.

Richard Thomas moves a neighbors' car out of the rising water as...

Judiann Parker watches the rough surf of the Atlantic Ocean from a partially boarded-up window early Monday, Oct. 29, 2012, in Cape May, N.J., as high tide and Hurricane Sandy begin to arrive. With Sandy poised to make a direct hit on New Jersey, Gov. Chris Christie has issued a typically blunt warning to those thinking of riding it out in low-lying coastal areas: "Don't be stupid. Get out." The storm was still hundreds of miles away, but was already making its approach known to New Jersey on Sunday with high winds, rough surf and coastal flooding as thousands of people fled to what they hoped would be safer ground.
(AP)

Judiann Parker watches the rough surf of the Atlantic Ocean from a...

The floor of the New York Stock Exchange is empty of traders, Monday, Oct. 29, 2012, in New York. All major U.S. stock and options exchanges will remain closed Monday with Hurricane Sandy nearing landfall on the East Coast. Trading has rarely stopped for weather. A blizzard led to a late start and an early close on Jan. 8, 1996, according to the exchange's parent company, NYSE Euronext. The NYSE shut down on Sept. 27, 1985 for Hurricane Gloria.
(AP)

The floor of the New York Stock Exchange is empty of traders,...

Waters from Hurricane Sandy start to flood Beach Ave. on October 29, 2012 in Cape May, New Jersey. Later today the full force of Hurricane Sandy is expected to hit the New Jersey coastline bringing heavy winds and floodwaters.
(Mark Wilson, Getty Images)

Waters from Hurricane Sandy start to flood Beach Ave. on October...

Members of the Bayview Hose Company No. 3 of the Freeport Fire Department survey the situation on South Long Beach Avenue as high tide and winds from Hurricane Sandy combine to flood the area on October 29, 2012 in Freeport, New York. The storm, which threatens 50 million people in the eastern third of the U.S., is expected to bring days of rain, high winds and possibly heavy snow.
(Bruce Bennett, Getty Images)

Members of the Bayview Hose Company No. 3 of the Freeport Fire...

Mark Clemente and Mary McSweeney kiss before going back inside Seward Park High School, which is doubling as a hurricane evacuation center, prior to the arrival of Hurricane Sandy, on October 28, 2012 in New York City. Sandy, which has already claimed over 50 lives in the Caribbean, is predicted to bring heavy winds and floodwaters as the mid-atlantic region prepares for the damage.
(Andrew Burton, Getty Images)

Mark Clemente and Mary McSweeney kiss before going back inside...

With Hurricane Sandy approaching, the Long Island Railroad announced the suspension of their service at 7pm on Sunday night, October 28, 2012 in Hicksville, New York. Sandy, which has already claimed over 50 lives in the Caribbean is predicted to bring heavy winds and floodwaters as the mid-atlantic region prepares for the damage.
(Bruce Bennett, Getty Images)

With Hurricane Sandy approaching, the Long Island Railroad...

New York City police officers go door to door in a housing project to take note of which residents are ignoring the mandatory evacuation order as Hurricane Sandy approaches on October 28, 2012 in the Rockaway Beach neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced a mandatory evacuation on low-lying coastal areas of the city. Sandy, which has already claimed over 50 lives in the Caribbean is predicted to bring heavy winds and floodwaters to the mid-Atlantic region.
(Allison Joyce, Getty Images)

Whether the Capital Region will bear the brunt of Hurricane Sandy remains to be seen, but as the storm barreled toward the East Coast on Saturday residents prepared for the worst.

In Prattsville, which last year was nearly wiped out of existence when Tropical Storm Irene turned inland toward the Catskill Mountains, residents stocked up on dry goods and water, purchased generators and in some cases moved treasured possessions to safer storage.

"As you can imagine, we're all a little apprehensive," said Prattsville Councilwoman Bonita Chase. "How could you not be after last year?"

Gov. Andrew Cuomo designated Prattsville, in Greene County, the place hardest hit by Irene. Everyone here has a flood story: Chase's home, on a hill, avoided flooding in the storm last August, but her father's house was submerged in more than 7 feet of water. If Sandy's wrath comes coupled with major rainfall, her father's land would be among the first to flood.

"Nobody here is prepared to face it. Last year, people had no warning; they lost everything," said Chase. "We're preparing for the worst, but hoping for the best."

The American Red Cross Northeastern New York Chapter anticipates providing assistance to residents in Greene and Schoharie counties, areas devastated by flooding from tropical storms Irene and Lee. Caroline Boardman, a chapter spokeswoman, said support will be especially needed by those people who had to evacuate their homes last year and may face doing so again.

About 100 Red Cross volunteers are expected to begin arriving in the region from across the country Sunday to assist in the response to the hurricane. The volunteers are scheduled to get into town before Sandy strikes the Northeast, Boardman said.

"We are setting up a disaster command post at our offices," Boardman said. Another command post for New York State Red Cross will be operating in White Plains.

"We're looking at widespread power outages for seven to 10 days," Boardman said.

Saturday night, the National Weather Service at Albany was predicting Hurricane Sandy's major impacts would strike the Capital Region from Monday morning through Tuesday morning, with bad weather lingering through much of the week.

"It's going to be an extremely powerful storm," said Joe Villani, a weather service meteorologist. Winds are predicted to blow steadily at 30 to 40 mph during the heaviest period of the storm, which should last 18 to 24 hours. Gusts will top 60 mph in the valleys and jump to more than 70 mph in the higher elevations.

The National Weather Service has issued flood and high-wind warnings for the region. Flooding may occur in the Schoharie Creek and Mohawk River due to an anticipated 3 to 5 inches of rain falling. Tidal flooding may occur in the Hudson River due to a storm surge. Temperatures will remain in the 50s.

Hurricane Sandy is such a massive storm that when the center makes landfall Monday in south to central New Jersey, the Capital Region will feel some effects, Villani said.

The hurricane will move west across New Jersey into Pennsylvania along the Mason-Dixon line before turning north to eventually reach the Binghamton area, Villani said.

In the Albany area, shoppers gathered supplies for the storm Saturday, though the panicked last-minute storm stockpiling reported elsewhere on the East Coast did not seem to have made it this far north.

Still, at Olson's Hardware & Garden Center in Slingerlands, customers camped out in the store waiting for a lost shipment of generators to arrive. Some had come from as far away as New Jersey, Maine and Connecticut.

Owner Jim Olson said usually the store sells a few generators in a year; on Saturday, he had already presold 60 of the 216 units.

At the Price Chopper in Westgate Shopping Center in Albany, items like flashlights, batteries, candles, water and canned goods were flying off the shelves.

"Any time there's a storm, in retail stores they come crazed," said James Williams, a Price Chopper night manager. Next door, the center's Dollar Tree story had run out of D batteries by 11 a.m.

A battery display at the store appeared ransacked, and stacked next to a tower of beer, packages of water seemed to be dwindling in number. At a Central Avenue Target store, only a few water packages remained on a shelf, with gaping holes in the display where others had been before.

Mary Louise Brown bought dry goods at the Wolf Road Hannaford grocery store in advance of the storm, but she was most concerned at stockpiling prescription drugs for her husband, who is ill.

"I wouldn't say I don't worry," she said. "But I wonder if there is really very much I can do."

Doug Myers, director of public affairs for Albany International Airport, said the airport received calls from small aircraft owners from outside the region seeking a safe place to put private planes.

"Everybody is wondering where this storm is going," said Myers.

In the Caribbean, where the hurricane damaged or destroyed countless homes in Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti and the Bahamas, the death toll attributed to the storm system had climbed to 58 by Saturday evening.

On Friday, Cuomo declared a state of emergency and mobilized emergency preparedness centers. He asked President Barack Obama for a pre-landfall disaster declaration, to give the state access to federal funds.

Locally, the Albany County Sheriff's Office prepared an emergency shelter at the former Clarksville Elementary School in New Scotland and the public works department kept personnel on standby.

Saratoga County tested backup systems.

Troy City Engineer Russ Reeves said everyone has done what they can to prepare.